OVERVIEW: The A.184 Mod 1 is an Italian heavyweight, ship-launched, wire-guided torpedo introduced in 1975. It was designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare from surface combatants using active/passive acoustic homing.

DETAILS: The designation “A.184 Mod 1” identifies it as a modified ship-launched version of the original A.184 torpedo, which was initially developed for submarines. Mod 1 retained the same 533 mm diameter and dual-mode acoustic seeker but adapted the launch configuration and wire-guidance interface for surface ships. It used an electric propulsion system powered by silver-zinc batteries and was designed to engage enemy submarines or surface vessels in littoral or open-ocean environments. The system was eventually retired in favor of more modern lightweight torpedoes and missile-based solutions on surface ships.

TYPE: Heavyweight wire-guided acoustic torpedo

FUNCTION: After launch from a surface vessel, the A.184 Mod 1 receives mid-course guidance through wire control and switches to active or passive acoustic homing in the terminal phase to strike enemy submarines or ships. The warhead detonates on contact to disable or destroy the target.

NOTE:
IOC: 1975 (A.184 Mod 1)
Operators: Italy
Platforms: Andrea Doria-class destroyers (modernized), Audace-class destroyers
Conflict used in: No confirmed combat use
Manufacturer: Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), Italy

SOURCE:
Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/index.html ; Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems ; Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei Archives